16 Unique Cultural Festivals Worth Traveling For
Many cultures have their festivals, the very best of the communities, which brings people together to celebrate who they are, what they have been, and what they believe in. These get-togethers range from ancient rituals to colorful parades, displaying all the diversity of the human experience. Some festivals are world famous, and others are little hidden gems—giving travelers a peek into local customs.
If vibrant street parties or solemn spiritual observances sound like your cup of tea, you’ll want to put one or more of these 16 cultural festivals on your itinerary.
Venice Carnival – Italy
The Venice Carnival is a celebration of elegance and of mystery. At least once a year, visitors put on ornate masks and costumes and take to the streets parading, attending masquerade balls and other festivities. The tradition of the event goes back to the Renaissance — combining history with modern day revelry.
Holi – India
One of India’s best known celebrations is Holi, the Festival of Colors. It is customary for communities to come together to throw powder in different colors at one another every spring, signifying the victory of good over evil, and the new season. Red, blue, and yellow powder are also put on canvases. Music, dance and delicious treats like gujiya (a sweet dumpling) are some of the things you’ll find.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival – China
There’s no snowy paradise better than the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in northern China. It’s usually held from January – February where they have a spectacular festival that includes massive ice sculptures, intricate snow carvings and colourful lights. Also, there’s an entire building made of ice for visitors to explore. It’s really remarkable and breathtaking.
Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA
New Orleans Mardi Gras is the ultimate celebration. The city is draped in purple, green, and gold, parades, jazz music and bead throwing celebrations in the streets. Regardless of how you spend Mardi Gras, it’s a party you’ll never forget, from joining the festivities in the French quarter to watching the elaborate floats roll by on St. Charles Avenue.
Hemingway Days – Key West, Florida, USA
Hemingway Days is a quirky festival with a literary twist celebrating the life of Ernest Hemingway. The festival, held in July, includes look-alike contests, readings and a “Running of the Bulls” inspired by Pamplona but with fake bulls. It’s as wacky and fun as Key West.
Carnival – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is exemplified as exuberance. Parades are your raison d’être and the celebration of your existence. The samba schools compete using elaborate floats and performances at the Sambadrome, which is probably the best-known part of the festival. It’s the sensory overload of the best kind.
Gion Matsuri – Kyoto, Japan
Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is Japan’s most famous festival, dating back more than a thousand years. It’s a grand series of floats, held throughout July, which include traditional performances. Foodies rejoice — there are street vendors hawking delicacies such as takoyaki (octopus balls) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) at the festival.
La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
Every August a massive tomato fight is hosted in the small town of Buñol. La Tomatina is a tomato lover’s (or nightmare’s) dream and the thousands of people throwing tomatoes at one another. There’s nothing more chaotic and hilarious and impossible to forget than this.
Inti Raymi – Cusco, Peru
Festival of the Sun, also known as “Inti Raymi” is a traditional Incan rite of the winter solstice. Every June, locals in Cusco don elaborate costumes to reenact ancient rituals – including calling in offerings to the sun god. At the historic site of Sacsayhuaman, the celebration ends in a cultural and historical union.
Burning Man – Black Rock Desert, USA
Festival is not the word to describe Burning Man—experience is. This event is a celebration of art, self expression and community and is held in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for a week. Of course, there is building a temporary city, art installations, sharing, and burning of a massive wooden effigy.
Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
For those that love beer, Oktoberfest is a paradise. Taking place each year in Munich, this legendary festival has years of history of beer, hearty food and beer tents with live music for millions of visitors. Although called Oktoberfest, the celebration mostly occurs in late September, so be prepared!
Songkran – Thailand
Thailand’s New Year celebration, Songkran, is like the world’s biggest water fight. Held in April, people splash water on each other to symbolize washing away the past year. Streets come alive with fun as everyone joins in with water guns and buckets.
Day of the Dead – Mexico
Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a beautiful tribute to departed loved ones. Families celebrate by creating ofrendas, or altars, filled with pictures, marigolds and offerings such as food and drink, usually from October 31 to November 2. In cities such as Oaxaca and Mexico City, there are parades, face painting and candlelit vigils.
Up Helly Aa – Scotland
If you’ve ever dreamed of attending a Viking-themed festival, the Up Helly Aa in Scotland’s Shetland Islands is for you. Burning a replica Viking longship, this fiery spectacle happens every January with torch-lit processions. That’s a dramatic way to honour the region’s Norse heritage.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival – Chiang Mai, Thailand
In Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival is magical. There are so many lanterns that get released into the night sky — representing letting go of all of the bad things in order to bring in the new. The traditional dance performances and temple ceremonies also feature at the festival usually held in November.
Pushkar Camel Fair – Rajasthan, India
The Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan is part livestock fair, part cultural extravaganza. And is a one-of-a-kind experience. It is held in November annually with camel races, folk music and a ‘best decorated camel’ contest. Apart from this spiritual significance Pushkar is also famous for its color liquor, bright bazaars and tranquil lakes that attract large number of travelers.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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